Dhaka’s population pressure
The population of Bangladesh’s capital city Dhaka and its surrounding areas has reached 17 million. According to this data of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dhaka has the 11th highest population among cities in the world. However, given the size of the city, it is now the most densely populated city in the world. There is a total of 43,500 persons living in every one square kilometre. This is an alarming figure.
The population density of this megacity is extremely abnormal. There has never been such a densely inhabited area in this world. The second mostly densely populated city is Mumbai, but that too has a much less denser population than Dhaka. Over there, 32,400 persons live per one square kilometre. This is about 1100 thousand less persons per square kilometre as compared to Dhaka.
There problems caused by Dhaka’s overly dense population are obvious. And the report appearing in Prothom Alo on Saturday is even more alarming. Every day another 1700 people are entering the city on average. The possible picture of this city in another couple of years is daunting.
It is most alarming that there is no proper planning or projection regarding the infrastructure, health serviced, sewerage system and waste management required to meet this burgeoning city’s needs. There is also no move to stem this daily influx of 1700 people to the city already in the grips of horrific traffic jams.
Initiatives must be taken immediately or else in a few years time this city will simply be unmanageable. Experts have stressed on the need to decentralise judicial services as well as education, health and banking services. Industries and businesses must be expanded in the various regional cities and towns in order to create employment and curtail the inflow of job-seekers to Dhaka.
Extensive planning must be taken up right now and work must begin without further delay.